Your college/university gives academic credit for your internship. OM provides the experience, supervision, and completion of any forms required by your school in order for you to receive credit for your college program. You will need to provide us with a document explaining what your school requires from our on-field supervisors, what you need to do/experience during your time with OM that will meet your internship requirements, etc. Before you are accepted to a particular OM Team for your internship, the leaders of the OM Team will confirm whether they can provide what you need in order to complete your internship requirements.

We have listed possible internships according to types of internship or skills. Some types of internships have multiple sub-types. For example, under Communications, you will find listings for journalism, photography, videography, graphic design, and social media.

OM is comprised of people from many national, ethnic and denominational backgrounds. We are looking for faithful, not perfect, followers of Jesus who desire to join with others in reaching the unreached around the world.

Those wanting to do an Internship in OM should:

• Be a follower of Jesus for at least 1 year
• Have a growing relationship with Jesus
• Be actively involved in a local church
• Agree with OM’s Doctrinal Statement
• Be at least 18 years old, or turning 18 within 6 months of completing the application
• Be living in freedom from alcohol and/or drug addiction for at least 1 year and free from tobacco use for at least 6 months.

1. Search through the internship listings according to your major, skills, and experience.
2. Fill out the online application form. Documents you may need to have on hand to upload: resume, document listing your school’s requirements for your internship, and (for international internships) a copy of the photo/info page of your passport.
3. Submit the completed application. You will receive confirmation and further instructions by email.

Virtual internships are available in Spring, Summer and Fall. These internships have set start dates with application deadlines.
-Application deadline for Spring: December 19. Internships begin in January.
-Application deadline for Summer: April 19. Internships begin in May.
-Application deadline for Fall: August 19. Internships begin in September.

Virtual interns will receive a $500 stipend upon the satisfactory completion of an internship. This money will not be taxed by OM USA. It is the intern’s responsibility to report it as “Other Income” on taxes. Interns will not receive a 1099 tax form.

Most internships are 10-12 weeks. Interns will be required to complete 10-15 hours per week. The length of internships can be adjusted based on an intern’s academic needs as required by their college/university.

Host locations change year to year based on team needs and capacity, among other factors. We typically have a dozen or more locations available, representing Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. On our Search Internships page, you are able to filter by region to see what’s available today.

We keep our posted internships as current as possible and encourage you to try searching multiple ways for what you need (for example, we may have chosen to list a ‘marketing’ option under communication instead of business) or remove filters (like region) to see more options. However, there is an option to find you a customized internship. To find out about custom internships check out our Custom Internship FAQs.

You will be sent as an individual to work with long-term workers. While you will be working with an established team, you will not go with the typical group like the average short-term or study abroad trip. Also, because OM teams are international, with people from over 100 nations, there might be other individual interns from the US or other countries on your field at the same time. English is normally the team language.

Most teams are flexible on the actual starting dates, length of commitment and ending dates. When there are date limitations these are noted. On the application you will have the opportunity to give the dates you prefer to serve and length of commitment. Most trips are 1-6 months in length and can be any time of year. Costs will be adjusted to your actual dates.

Internships at the USA headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia come with a small living stipend and free accommodation. See US Internships.

International internships are not paid; you (the intern) are responsible for covering your program costs, which you may choose to do by raising funds through OM USA. A tax-deductible receipt will be issued for any donations received by OM towards covering the cost of your internship.

The costs of internships vary depending on the cost of living in the country you would be serving in and the length of your commitment. An average cost for most of our fields is around $1,200 – $1,500 per month – some more and some less than that. Actual costs will be adjusted to flight dates and currency exchange rates near the time you leave for the field.

We require a $100 deposit once your placement is confirmed in order to secure your spot and cover your background check and training materials.

Our estimated prices include:

• Accommodation
• Meals
• Local travel/commute
• Internet
• Location-specific expenses that are essential to life or work
• Administrative fees
• Background check
• Training materials

Our estimated cost does NOT include:

• Your travel/airfare to and from the country you will be serving in
• Your passport or any required visas
• Any required/recommended immunizations or medicines
• Emergency medical insurance (you will also be given a link to order your own emergency medical insurance and send us proof of your coverage)
• Costs of any required Covid-19 testing (we will do our best to give you up-to-date information on the requirements for the country you are going to)

These expenses are the responsibility of the intern. However, you may raise additional funds through OM USA to cover these costs. These additional funds can be used to reimburse you for your flights, visa, immunization, and medical expense costs when you submit receipts for them.

Most people fund their trip through their networks of family, friends and churches. Once your application is approved we’ll supply you with the tools you need to present your trip to these people, asking them to pray about helping to send you.

The amount listed for your on-field costs must be in our office 40 days prior to your departure to allow time to transfer funds through our internal systems. Funds to be used to reimburse airfares, visas and immunizations can arrive later, and even arrive during your trip, but reimbursements can only be given when funds to cover the amounts are in your OM account. Your on-field costs must be covered before funds can be used for reimbursement. Reimbursements can wait to be made to you when you return from your trip if needed. Reimbursements are by check made out to you or direct deposit into your bank account.

The length of the application process depends on several factors, including how quickly you respond to requests for information, how quickly your references are received, and how quickly the field you are applying to takes to confirm their acceptance. In order to allow enough time for you to be approved and have time to raise funds for your trip, we have a deadline of receiving your application no later than 120 days before the start of your trip. This means if you want to leave June 1, you need to apply by Feb. 1. The more time you allow, the more likely the internship you want will be available, and the more time you will have to raise funds. EXCEPTION: If you already have the funds to cover your internship and don’t need time to raise funds, your application can be received closer to the date you want to start.

Since our teams have limited capacity to host interns, it might be that your first choice is filled before you complete your application. We will communicate with you if your choices are no longer available and try to find you an alternative internship.

Yes. When you have completed the application process, we connect your with our training coaches who will work with you before you go to prepare you, in general, for your trip.

Our pre-departure training program has some aspects that are self-paced and can be done anytime, combined with several video calls with other OM interns and an OM staff coach. Designed to be devotional and reflective rather than academic, our training will cover the fundamental aspects of cross-cultural life and ministry and prepare you to connect the story God is writing in your life with the story of His redemptive work in the place you are going to live. It is our desire that you would feel cared for and equipped both before departure and throughout your OM internship, and that this training time will be a valuable opportunity for both field preparation and spiritual growth.

The team you join often supplies information you need to know, too, which will help you prepare, plan and pack for your trip. More in-depth (country and job specific) training happens with your host team on arrival.

Yes. It helps us understand who you are and what your needs are + there is a specific section for you to share any questions you might have for us. Submitting a form DOES NOT commit you to doing a custom internship. You would officially apply later if we find a good fit for you.

Yes or a recent graduate. Custom Internships are only for college students or recent graduates seeking an overseas experience.

If you’re not in college but would like to gain overseas experience browse the rest of the OM USA website for an exploratory experience that will fit you!

No, as a college student, you can do a Custom Trip simply for the experience of being in cross-cultural ministry with long-term missionaries. You do not have to meet any college requirements. Whether or not you receive credit for your time overseas is at the discretion of your university or college.

Most trips are between 1-6 months and can happen at any time of year.

You will be sent as an individual to work with our long-term workers. While you will be working with a team, you will not go with the typical group like the average short-term trip. Also, because OM teams are international, with people from over 100 nations, there might be other individual interns from the US or other countries on your field at the same time. English is normally the team language.

Please check our Degree Tracks to see the list of internships already set up and ready to receive applicants. If none of these fit with your degree of study, then we work with you to discover what you are looking for, what experiences and skills you have, which locations you prefer, and any school requirements you may need to fulfill. We then network with all of our OM teams to find the best possible location and ministry for you!

Placing you in an internship is a customized process, taking into account what you want and need, as well as what the overseas team wants and needs. This, along with the support-raising process, usually takes several months. We recommend you complete the Internship Request form at least 5-6 months before the date you want to leave for your trip.

All International Internships require the intern to cover their costs.
OM is a faith-based, non-profit agency, meaning that we serve through the giving of others. Raising support through OM USA to cover the cost of your internship is an incredible blessing as you see God work through others to supply your needs. You also have the option of covering the cost of your internship yourself if you have the funds.

Each OM team has personalized budgets based on cost of living within that country. Our staff works with the leaders on the team where you’re going to establish a personalized budget for you, providing a moderate standard of living and any training expenses. Costs do not include travel expenses, emergency medical insurance, passport or visa costs, or any Covid testing required for travel. However, you can raise funds to also cover these costs, and if you do, receive a reimbursement check when you submit receipts for these items.

Most people fund their trip through their network of family, friends and churches. Once you are accepted, we’ll supply you with the tools you need to present your trip to these people, asking them to pray about helping to send you.

Those who donate to OM to help cover the costs of your internship receive a tax receipt for a charitable donation.

Yes. When you have completed the application process, we connect your with our training coaches who will work with you before you go to prepare you, in general, for your trip.

Our pre-departure training program has some aspects that are self-paced and can be done anytime, combined with several video calls with other OM interns and an OM staff coach. Designed to be devotional and reflective rather than academic, our training will cover the fundamental aspects of cross-cultural life and ministry and prepare you to connect the story God is writing in your life with the story of His redemptive work in the place you are going to live. It is our desire that you would feel cared for and equipped both before departure and throughout your OM internship, and that this training time will be a valuable opportunity for both field preparation and spiritual growth.

The team you join often supplies the information you need to know, too, which will help you prepare, plan and pack for your trip. More in-depth (country and job-specific) training happens with your host team on arrival.